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MG MGA - what eng is I have, or how many?

Me again, 1961 mga 1600 in boxes. I believe I have 1600(1,588c), no I do not have any engine/chassis/body numbers :-( The following is all the information I can find.

Head
15 on back
1h957af2
30.10.9
Pat 565394

Block
1600 on side
Bore 3 in. indicates 1622 or 1588 bored to .04
4 in a diamond

Crack
255c5c67c7
Rod 1.85
Main 1.968

Pistons
2.952 about 1/8 inch smaller than bore
1 pair 5 rings
1 pair 4 rings oil (combo ring) .142 (indicates 1600 or 1622) from eng 40825
Rod 1h702(2) 1h704(2) Shouldn’t I have 701,702,703,704? (Indicate 1500 or 1600 aug 1955 – mar 1961)

1) Agreed, This is a 1600(1588cc) bored out?
2) I have the wrong pistons?
3) Since I do not have the correct connection rods I am xx2#4@?
4) If 3 is true, any suggestions….besides a hemi.
jkb jay

The 4 in a diamond against a bore is a grading stamp for the original bores, to sort the pistons for best fit. It no longer has any meaning, obviously.
You certainly do have the wrong pistons if they are really 1/8" smaller than the bore - are you sure, that is way more than the normal overbore allowance. Suggest you get it measured properly.
Crank looks to be reground.
A Pearse

Jay,
If your bore is 3.00 and pistons are 2.952 that's only .048 under, not 1/8th (.125). I don't recall the running clearance, but that does seem like a lot. Where did you measure the piston?

GTF
G T Foster

Thanks for the help...

I have a 1600(1588) .30 over, the pistons for 1500, and crank .10 over.

New pistons/ring .30 ordered and ready to rebuld.

jayb
jkb jay

This thread was discussed between 18/02/2009 and 21/02/2009

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.